An ECG, coupled with a physical exam and medical history, is the best way to detect conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest. In fact, a recent study showed that the physical exam and medical history alone missed 82% of the heart conditions detected during a comprehensive pre-participation sports physical for NCAA athletes.

In 2012, international experts in sports medicine and cardiology met in Seattle to establish ECG interpretation standards (The Seattle Criteria) to be used for student athletes. Proceedings from the meeting were published in the February 2013 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. These articles distinguish normal physiologic ECG changes in athletes from pathologic abnormalities suggestive of cardiomyopathy, channelopathy, or electrical disorders. A module was also created and can be accessed here.